Dereck Lively II played one of the best games of his life in the Dallas Mavericks’ preseason finale against the Detroit Pistons. Lively had 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and a block in 24 minutes of action as Dallas beat Detroit, 114-104. His 14 points were a preseason career-high. It was also the most points he has scored in a game since high school. Too bad none of it counts.
Lively will get a chance to record meaningful statistics and prove himself in the regular season soon enough. He’s started every game for the Mavericks in Summer League and preseason, and if he gets the starting nod again on Wednesday, he’ll be the first rookie to start for the Mavericks on opening day since Luka Doncic in 2018.